Antiques Anyone?

[surreal]

Does anyone here collect antiques or do restoration?
If so what are you into?
I'm just putting my toe in the door.
I seem to be focused on sewing machines and having a lot of fun.
Like this one I got Friday at the local auction, that always looks like a scene from Deliverance every time I go.
A circa 1885 Domestic Sewing machine in beautiful shape. I found the Franklin in the trash from 1917 and bought the Wheeler Wilsom dated 1905.
Geeze perhaps I thought I've just gong nuts, then I realized I live in one of the last areas prolific with antiques in the country.
I'm thinking I might start going to auctions then going to ebay..

Any tips or feelings about that would be welcome also.

[RobRich]

I have decent knowledge of original French Capodimonte and Japanese figurines; western European and American antique furniture; and a variety of American commercial ceramics and glassware.

Live auctions are fun, just do not get caught in a bidding war. Set a price, and do not go over it. If you violate this rule, you will soon have an empty wallet. Also forget about these so-called "book" prices people like to quote. The actual auction value of an item has little in common with the appraisal books.

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And to think everyone assumes I am only interested in computers.....

[Theophylact]

If I could afford it (and if I had the space) I'd collect antique scientific instruments.

[Quidam]

I restore/refinish furniture, but no one type in particular. Most of it is 'give-aways' from friends rather than purchased. I'm running out of room, so I either need to quit or go pro and do work for others.

I find it relaxing and very satisfying to rescue a piece that has been violated by some trendy 'antiquing' or 'distressing' or 'faux-something' process. The hidden result isn't always a treasure, but rewarding when conpleted.

[surreal]

I think that's part of my attraction to the sewing machines Theo, the technology..

I understand what you mean Quidam! Like the desk I drug home from the side of the road with the free sign still on it Turned out that originally it belonged down in DC at the Federal tax offices. Probably originally turn of the century furnishing..
A great old sturdy desk, I've stripped and now just need to refinish.
(my husband hates me bringing this stuff home)

Robert I walked away from a 300 sewing machine cause 25 bucks was my set limit

[Quidam]

If the piece has a technology aspect to it, that's icing on the cake! I would love to learn how to restore clocks. At me present level of skill, if compressed air and WD-40 can't get 'em working, I'm out of luck.

My latest major project was/is a church organ from the early 1900's. I'm done with the refinishing of the exterior. That took years of on-again, off-again work. Now the challenge is getting the guts to operate. Pedals to bellows to reeds to stops to....

[surreal]

Very cool!
I've always thought someday I'd learn enough to restore old clocks

[Brainchild]

I'm into cars,older the better for me.Not that I have any of my projects finished right now,but it fun to work on them.
Working on restoring a 1949 Chevy pickup right now,and putting a 71 together to drive,not sure if 71 is concidered antique,but it is 30 years old.
also have a 55 Pontiac,49 pontiac,and looking at a couple of other thing I would like to own.

Projects page if your intrested

[nochay]

in the trash

dumpster diver! trash picker! pearl diver!

I'm a closet dumpster diver myself!

[nochay]

I have some tube fired radios, 2 old cars/trucks, a 486 tandy sensation, A military laptop (grid 1520, 286) and I am trying to think of how to get this AS/400 from the college here short of stealing it! (It's a long story)

1959 Edsel Villager Station
1967 Dodge D200 Camper Special

Dane

[nochay]

I'm into cars,older the better for me.Not that I have any of my projects finished right now,but it fun to work on them.
Working on restoring a 1949 Chevy pickup right now,and putting a 71 together to drive,not sure if 71 is concidered antique,but it is 30 years old.
also have a 55 Pontiac,49 pontiac,and looking at a couple of other thing I would like to own.

Projects page if your interested

70's cars are starting to be considered "classics" I have seen lots of people showing interest in Pinto's,Gremlins, etc. Look at the prices on ebay Pinto's and Gremlins go for!

Dane

[Theophylact]

My friend Zak, the Islamic calligrapher and instrument-maker, collects ancient typewriters. Same impulse as sewing-machines...

[LeftCoast]

...then I realized I live in one of the last areas prolific with antiques in the country...

You are very right.

I think the best thing you could do is familiarize yourself with antique furniture (as well as a wide variety of collectibles), recognizing the subtleties that differentiate a $500 piece from a $5000 piece. Most of the best deals probably won't be at auctions (unless someone's asleep at the wheel), but at estate and garage sales, and even listings in the newspaper (both "for sale" items and an ad that says "I BUY ANTIQUES"). With antiques, as in so many other purchases, your money is made when you purchase the item, not when you sell it. But remember, you need the market for the items you want to invest your time and money in.

Watch PBS for The Road Show, and you'll see the craziest places people come up with very valuable collectibles. Also, you occasionally see some dork who's proud of the fact they've refinished a table or chest of drawers. Proud, that is, until they're told that the piece would have been worth $50,000 in its original condition, but now it's only worth $5000!

Also, often times you can bid on entire contents of houses in an estate sale, and if you know what you're doing, you can reap the rewards. My brother did just this, and one of the dressers in the house had two drawers full of brand new antique handbags, several of which he fleabayed for over $1300 each!

[surreal]

Most of the best deals probably won't be at auctions (unless someone's asleep at the wheel),

I can tell you're not from around here.

[LeftCoast]

I can tell you're not from around here.

Yeah, right. I'm from less than 200 miles north of you, and lived there for over 30 years (till I figured out there wasn't a fence around the place; you can keep the snow). And yes, I've been to my fair share of professional auctions.

I never said good deals weren't to be had at auctions, but the best deals, the "home runs", are not likely to be made under the perusal of professional auctioneers. They usually know what the items are worth, start the bidding accordingly, and have advertised extensively to draw as much competition as possible. Maybe things are different in Pennsyltuckey, though.

I suppose it all comes down whether your intention is to hold or turn, what profit margin is acceptable to you, and what your time is worth. Either way, I'd rather buy from someone who doesn't know an item's true value.

GL

[ryanredbaron]

maybe cars and jets for me...

[Beemer]

I'm into older women. Would that count? A little restoration work and they're like new again!

Sorry. Couldn't resist.
(Thread crap. Bad Beemer. Baaaaad Beemer)

Cheers!

[filipino]

I'm into older women. Would that count? A little restoration work and they're like new again!

[johnnycombat]

I am in to old firearms. Smokeless powder stuff from the turn of the century and some old military pieces no black powder, yet, maybe in time. I also have some old swords and stuff like that.

[Detritus]

(my husband hates me bringing this stuff home)

Wow, does that sound familiar, my wife brings home all sorts of old crap, er um antiques, but, at least she sells 90% of it on eBay or in her mom's shop.

The only antiques I am interested in are old calculators/scientific equipment.